In a bizarre up-and-down -- literally -- series of events, the controversial site Cryptome.org was forced offline yesterday after posting a sensitive Microsoft document on its site, but was back online today.

It all started when Cryptome, which operates as a repository for freedom of speech, cryptography, spy, and surveillance information and documents, posted a Microsoft surveillance compliance document titled "Microsoft Online Services Global Criminal Compliance Handbook." Next Microsoft filed a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notice, and Cryptome refused to remove the document from the site.

Cryptome went back online today, posting a letter that appeared to be from its hosting provider, Network Solutions, stating that Microsoft had withdrawn its DCMA complaint. The site boasts it "welcomes documents for publication that are prohibited by governments worldwide, in particular material on freedom of expression, privacy, cryptology, dual-use technologies, national security, intelligence, and secret governance -- open, secret and classified documents -- but not limited to those."

Microsoft reportedly said today it did not want Cryptome taken down. "We did not ask that this site be taken down, only that Microsoft copyrighted content be removed," Microsoft said in a statement to PC Magazine>. "We are requesting to have the site restored and are no longer seeking the document's removal."

Meanwhile, the document in question offers a little insight into information Microsoft keeps. According to a report in Wired, the document says, among other things, that Microsoft's Xbox Live records and stores IP addresses used to log into the gaming console.

And Microsoft's Hotmail and MSN Premium email services keep email account registration records "for the life of the account," according to the document, and IP connection history data for 60 days.

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